The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net THE St Augustine's College Big Red Machines rolled past the Kingsway Academy Saints for their third consecutive victory in the Bahamas Association of Independent Secondary Schools. On Tuesday, at the refurbished courts at the St Augustine's College, the Big Red Machines prevailed with an impressive 69-47 decision over the Saints, who dropped to 1-3. The Big Red Machines, coached by Jason Edwards, had four players in double figures as Brandon Whymms led the attack with a game high 28 points. Nathan Bethel had 15 points, Kent Wood 14 and Zachary Pennerman 13. "We started off good, but in the middle of the game, we lacked the consistency," Edwards pointed out. "We got a little sloppy as some of the players started complaining about the officiating. "But as the game progressed, we got back to what got us started and we were able to maintain and lead and continue our winning streak." In leading from start to finish, SAC took a 16-9 lead after the first quarter, thanks to Wood's six and four apiece from Whymms and Pennerman. By the half, they had opened a 35-17 lead, highlighted by Whymms' seven, Bethel's five and Wood's four. But in the second half, Kingsway Academy picked up their intensity and managed to outscore SAC in both the third and fourth periods. However, every time the Saints made a run, the Big Red Machines were able to match it. For the Saints, coached by Dario Cox, got a 1-2 punch as Jeron Johnson scored a game high 18 and Joseph Adderley finished with 16. While Adderley produced six in the third and three in the fourth, Johnson had three in the third and seven in the fourth before fouling out. "I don't think we performed the way we are supposed to play," Cox stated. "They didn't play up to their potential. We came out with a loss. They just shut down. They didn't bring the game out the way they have been practicing." But Cox said there's still a lot of hope for his team. He noted that if they can commit themselves to playing better defense, Kingsway Academy can match in the win column again. On the other hand, Edwards said his Big Red Machines are just getting started, having gotten off to a late start due to the renovations that was done to the basketball courts. "We're playing very well right now, but I still think we can play a lot better," he proclaimed. "We've lost some players who left to go to school in the United States. "But with the team that we have, if we continue to work as hard as we've been doing in practice, we will definitely be a force to reckon with this year."